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by The Backseat Stylers | November 8th, 2012 
Despite the antics of a hurricane named Sandy, the 2012-2013 edition of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show taped last night to a celebrity-packed audience at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York. The highly-anticipated show saw the biggest names in the modelling industry, including show opener Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Karlie Kloss, Doetzen Kroes and more, strut their fabulous stuff in elaborate and over-the-top lingerie and, for the chosen few, Angel wings.
It’s tough to follow last year’s Kanye, Jay-Z, Maroon 5 and Nicki Minaj combination, but this year’s musical acts were no less spectacular. Rihanna, Justin Bieber (who’ll be performing at the Grey Cup 2012 half-time show this month!) and Bruno Mars all took the stage.
The highlight, however, had to be Alessandra Ambrosio, my favourite VS Angel, modeling this year’s million dollar bra, a jeweled creation worth $2.5 million. The rest of the runway show was split into themed segments: “Circus”, “Dangerous Liaisons”, “Calendar Girls”, “Pink Is Us”, “Silver Screen Angels” and “Angels in Bloom”.
Check out over 60 photos from the fabulous show in the gallery below. I’ll be counting down the days until the show airs on December 4 on CBS. VS Fashion Show viewing party, anyone?
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by The Backseat Stylers | March 7th, 2012 
I have a bone to pick with Converse.
Every season, I’m excited to attend the media preview for the upcoming collection, and every season I come out with quite a wish list. The only problem? It’s the men’s shoes I keep falling head over heels for and they, quite tragically, don’t come in my size. The designs from the ongoing John Varvatos x Converse collaboration are always standouts – I’m dying for a pair of embellished leather high tops. Can we make this happen, pretty please?
Thankfully, there are plenty of other styles to keep my feet occupied until the day I get my hands on some John Varvatos. The special edition DC Comics Chuck Taylors are favourites; we’re big Superman fans here at The Backseat Stylers and are building a mini collection of Superman Cons to fit everyone from the baby to the Mister to yours truly. I’m happy to see there are new styles coming for Spring, with illustrations straight out of the comic books. And, of course, the basic Converse shoe in vibrant pops of colour are always weekend essentials.
There are a lot of fun styles hitting stores soon, including more Jack Purcell this season, as well as collaborations with Marimekko and Gorillaz. What’s on your list, for you and your Mister?
P.S. Check out my Converse-inspired nail art from the preview, courtesy of Wow Wow Nails!
   
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | March 5th, 2012 
Stuart Weitzman unveiled a new, high-end accessories brand, SW1, in Milan last week. The exclusive line will feature shoes and handbags designed by Creative Director Alvaro Gonzalez, who recently joined the company after his departure from Jimmy Choo. Stuart Weitzman, who serves as CEO of the company, says his goal with SW1 is to bring “wearability, supercomfort and great fashion” to the designer shoe and bag market.
The first collection includes about 50 shoes, as well as a line-up of everyday bags and evening clutches and miniaudieres. The shoe designs are all made in Spain, and will retail from $595 for a pump to $795 for a bootie to $995 for a full boot. The handbags, which are made in both Spain and Italy, will retail for $800 to $1,500.
The price points are higher than what Stuart Weitzman’s customers are accustomed to, but design elements have also been kicked up several notches. Architectural silhouettes, standout detailing, and rich suede and python leathers make for statement accessories that are certain to appeal to the company’s existing clients, as well as attract new ones. I’m certainly intrigued.
The first SW1 collection is due to hit Holt Renfrew in Canada, Selfridges in London and other designer boutiques and department stores worldwide this Fall.
    
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by The Backseat Stylers | February 23rd, 2012 
Earlier this month, Banana Republic announced that a second Mad Men-inspired collaboration with the television show’s costume designer, Janie Bryant, was on the way for Spring. Today, we’ve got a sneak peek of the 40-piece collection for you, modeled by none other than Canadian supermodel Shalom Harlow.
So far, the 60s-inspired line-up of dresses, separates and accessories are looking very promising indeed. The collection launches in stores and online on March 1. Are you liking what you’re seeing so far?
P.S. If you’re in Toronto, Banana Republic is hosting a Mad Men Sneak Peek Event at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Wed. Feb. 29, 5-9pm, including a ‘How to Get Mad Style’ presentation, a make-up artist demonstration on how to perfect the red lip and winged eye liner, gifts with purchase*, retro cocktails, appetizers and more. See you there!
  
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by The Backseat Stylers | February 2nd, 2012 
Ever since H&M announced their designer collaboration with Marni back in November, we’ve been waiting ever so patiently for a sneak peek of the capsule collection. Today it finally came in the form of an ad campaign image, and boy was it worth the wait. Based on what I’m seeing in this shot alone, I’m getting the sense this is going to be one epic collaboration. As in, Lanvin for H&M epic.
The collection launches in stores and online on March 8, so watch this space for more Marni x H&M news!
Update on Jan 30: Images of an editorial in Vogue Russia featuring Marni x H&M have emerged. The prints and accessories in the collection are not for the faint of heart! Are you liking what you’re seeing so far?
Update on Feb 2: First look at the menswear! What do you think, gents?
Update on Feb 3: Watch the Marni for H&M commercial here.
  
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by The Backseat Stylers | January 11th, 2012 
Collaborations like Jason Wu for Target and Marni for H&M have been taking over the news feeds the last few days, and now we’ve got another to add to the mix for our readers in Asia. Taylor Tomasi Hill, the newly-dubbed Artistic Director of Moda Operandi / former Style & Accessories Director of Marie Claire / bona fide street style star, has designed an exclusive capsule collection for Hong Kong-based retailer Lane Crawford.
Set to hit Lane Crawford IFC Mall on January 9, the collection includes an eclectic mix of pieces ranging from a white vintage lace pencil skirt (complete with neon pink slip!) to a pair of purple and pink abstract-print pants (very Erdem). “I am fond of things that don’t necessarily look as they should go together”, says Tomasi Hill. “Something unexpected always adds an element of interest to an outfit.” The 5 pieces revealed thus far are certainly anything but expected, and I can’t wait to see the rest of the collection.
Sadly, I won’t be anywhere near Asia next week and will be missing out on the fun, but will be living vicariously through our readers who are out that way. How about designing a collection for those of us on this side of the world, Taylor?
UPDATE:
Great news for those of us outside of Hong Kong who’ve been wanting to shop Taylor Tomasi Hill x Lane Crawford: the full collection is available online at LaneCrawford.com! Priced from $250 for the striped top to $470 for a strapless tuxedo dress, the collection can be delivered right to your door within 3 to 5 days ($30 shipping + tax/duties or free for orders over $1,000 on international orders).
I have my eye on the gorgeous leather-collar lace shirt – it’s the stuff of my sartorial dreams. What about you?
     
xx, S
Images via Jak and Jil, popbee, @TTomasiHill, Lane Crawford, Trendhunter
by The Backseat Stylers | January 7th, 2012 
In case you’re tempted to spend all the money Santa left you at the end-of-season designer sales, think again. That Jason Wu for Target collaboration we posted about back in October is now just around the corner, and a few lookbook and campaign images have been released. So far, the collection, which hits stores and online on February 5, is looking very promising indeed. And with nothing priced over $60, this is masstige at its finest.
Keep checking back for more photos of the collection over the next month. What do you think so far?
      
xx, S
Images via Lucky, Fashionista, Teen Vogue, The Budget Babe, Style.com
by The Backseat Stylers | December 12th, 2011 
Usually talk of shoes takes up more than its fair share of the editorial calendar here at The Backseat Stylers (on account of me being a shoeaholic), but lately I’ve had jewelry on the brain quite a bit. Today, it’s Swarovski; I attended the preview for their Spring 2012 collection, ‘Swing, Sing & Shine’, recently and wanted to share some of the sparkle from that event with you all.
As usual, there was plenty of baubles perfect for brides-to-be planning for their nuptials next summer. Swarovski knows what they’re doing when it comes to wedding-ready pieces with just the right amount of shine. In fact, I chose to wear one of the brand’s chokers when I got married a few years back.
Those of us not on the market for bridal pieces needn’t feel left out though. The Spring collection includes everything from chic sunglasses to cute charms for the ladies and from edgy bracelets to skull paperweights for the men.
If you’re currently on the hunt for a sparkly holiday gift for a loved one, click on over to our post about the Fall 2011 preview, which features pieces that are in store right now…including a $10,000 bedazzled Hello Kitty!
   
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | December 2nd, 2011 
Remember that time Canadian fashion director George Antonopoulos designed a Fall capsule collection for Danier and a certain blogger (read: me) went out and bought half the collection and wore it non-stop all season? Well, I’m living that right now and it’s about to happen all over again. Yesterday, I got a sneak peek of Antonopoulos’ second outing for OBJECT for Danier at the leather retailer’s Spring 2012 preview; not surprisingly, half the collection leapt instantly to the top of my Spring wish list.
Antonopoulos and Danier have, smartly, remade some of the most popular styles from the Fall collection in new material and colour combinations. My favourite leather dress, for example, is being produced for Spring sans sleeves and in the loveliest grey and pink suedes. The croc-embossed envelope clutches are back too, and are as to-die-for as ever. I’ve been toting the original black version from Fall all over town, and now I’m lusting after the orange…or perhaps the white?
I’d normally try to make a case for getting both colourways, but there’s no room for that in my Spring OBJECT budget; my wish list is already quite lengthy. In addition to a banker’s envelope in a yet-to-be-determined colour, I’ve also got my eye on the caramel leather shorts, perforated suede henley and royal blue leather pants (seriously!). Throw in a yellow skinny belt for good measure, too, and I’ve got all my coloured leather needs covered next season. Because, in case you were wondering, coloured leather is a legitimate need (not want), especially when done this well.
So which pieces are you needing from round two of OBJECT for Danier so far?
   
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | November 10th, 2011 
The 2011-2012 edition of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show taped last night to a celebrity-packed audience at the 26th St. Armory in New York. The $12-million show saw the biggest names in the modelling industry, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman and more, saunter down the runway in barely there lingerie and, for the chosen few, Angel wings.
The musical acts were no less bold-faced, featuring Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West, with Jay-Z making a surprise one-song appearance. The themes of the runway show segments – over-the-top cheesy as always, but immensely fun – included Ballet, “Super Angels”, “Passion”, “Angels Aquatic”, “I put a spell on you” and “Club Pink” this year. Check out 75 photos from the fabulous show in the gallery below.
I can’t wait until the show airs on November 29 (on CBS)! Will you be watching too?
UPDATE: Looking for photos from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012-2013 edition? Click over here.
(via Fashionista)
xx, S
Images via Fashionologie
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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